Be More Proactive In The Interview

Even the most confident job seekers can become meek, passive sheep once the all-important job interview begins, preventing them from showing their true colors and making the most of the interview experience. Instead of going with the flow during your next job interview, stand out as a proactive professional with a few key practices.

Well before your interview, start thinking about what problems your potential employer may be facing in relation to your line of work, hypothesizing what the employer's greatest pain might be. Next, formulate a plan of how you can solve it using your particular skills and experience. Once you start your job interview, touch on this plan of action rather than just talking about your previous accomplishments to truly stand out. If you're interviewing for an advertising position, for example, don't drone on about how you improved sales at previous companies. Instead, specify how you would plan to revamp the company's marketing campaign.

Another way to be proactive is to confirm your job interview several days in advance via phone or email, letting the company know you're excited for the interview. When you first meet your interviewer, smile and don't be afraid to engage in some small talk. Build a rapport with your interviewer, asking your own questions, sharing a story or simply breaking the stiff formality that sets the tone for a passive interview.

Once the interviewer begins asking questions, don't take the passive route of answering with a simple "yes" or "no" and little elaboration. Instead, use the question to create dialogue between you and interviewer. This is especially important when admitting that you don't have a certain skill or experience as you can talk about other skills that may replace it or how you're willing to learn.

At the end of the job interview, when the interviewer gives you the floor to ask your own questions, have a number of thoughtful questions lined up specific to the company and the job opening. This lets interviewers know that you are not only trying to score a job, but you're also searching for the best fit for your personality and skill set. This also demonstrates confidence and self-value while showing that you care enough about the position to delve deeper into the details. Remember to ask questions such as, "What's the office culture like?" and "What do you expect from an employee in this position?" However, avoid too many questions that touch on what's in it for you, such as those about benefits and schedule flexibility.

After your interview, don't forget to send a personalized thank-you to everyone involved in your interview. Although an email is generally sufficient, a hand-written note or card adds a personal touch. Finally, call to follow up on your job interview if you don't hear back from the hiring manager within a reasonable time.

Photo courtesy of Ploymint HQ at Flickr.com